http://www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com Hydrocarbon Processing Refractory lining reliability challenges in hydrogen-fueled process fired heaters http://admin.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/magazine/2025/march-2025/heat-exchangemanagement/refractory-lining-reliability-challenges-in-hydrogen-fueled-process-fired-heaters/ This article provides an overview of the potential impact of H2-rich fuel firing on refractory integrity and suggests safeguards to mitigate challenges. While this article discusses refractory issues in process fired heaters, the information presented can be broadly applicable to fired equipment where a flame is present. Methods for increasing the heat transfer rate on steam condensation surfaces http://admin.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/magazine/2025/march-2025/heat-exchangemanagement/methods-for-increasing-the-heat-transfer-rate-on-steam-condensation-surfaces/ Traditional systems rely on filmwise condensation for heat transfer; however, for large energy consumers, dropwise condensation will help improve heat transfer efficiency and reduce steam consumption and carbon footprint. This can be achieved through water treatment technologies—specifically the dropwise condensation technology—that help facilities increase productivity and reliability while reducing energy consumption. Minimize risks and unlock profitability with opportunity crudes http://admin.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/magazine/2025/march-2025/process-optimization/minimize-risks-and-unlock-profitability-with-opportunity-crudes/ This article focuses on new digital technologies that enable refiners to extract the most profit out of opportunity crudes. Sherwin-Williams expands global core product offering for customers worldwide http://admin.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/news/2025/03/sherwin-williams-expands-global-core-product-offering-for-customers-worldwide/ Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine has unveiled new Global Core coatings that include an inorganic zinc primer, epoxy primer, epoxy intermediate coat and urethane topcoat. These versatile coatings can be used to create multi-layer coating systems for corrosion protection and aesthetics for a wide range of applications Digital Exclusive: The implementation and automation of an alarm management system in a complex control environment at KNPC’s Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery http://admin.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/news/2025/03/digital-exclusive-the-implementation-and-automation-of-an-alarm-management-system-in-a-complex-control-environment-at-knpc-s-mina-al-ahmadi-refinery/ With the recent advancements in technology and availability of control support applications, the role of an alarm management system (ALMS) has taken a center stage to fulfill the requirements of safe and enhanced operations. This article details how refinery personnel implemented an ALMS at KNPC's Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery in Kuwait, especially with the facility's complex control rooms and multiple distributed control systems. Russia's idle oil refining capacity estimated up 50% in March from previous plan http://admin.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/news/2025/03/russias-idle-oil-refining-capacity-estimated-up-50-in-march-from-previous-plan/ Russia's offline primary oil refining capacity in March was revised up 49.7% from the initial plan for this month to 2.96 million metric tons amid drone attacks. Digital Feature (sponsored): Three questions oil and gas companies should ask to improve their operations risk management http://admin.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/news/2025/03/digital-feature-sponsored-three-questions-oil-and-gas-companies-should-ask-to-improve-their-operations-risk-management/ The article will discuss the five broad categories that most of this industry’s risk falls under and address the three—equally important—areas that can have a major impact on the quality of an oil and gas company’s overall operations risk management (ORM) strategy. Nextchem awarded engineering/technology services contract from SATORP (Saudi Arabia) http://admin.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/news/2025/03/nextchem-awarded-engineeringtechnology-services-contract-from-satorp-saudi-arabia/ MAIRE announced that NEXTCHEM (Sustainable Technology Solutions), through its subsidiary NextChem Tech, has been awarded a three-year contract by SATORP – a JV between Saudi Aramco and TotalEnergies – to provide engineering and technology services related to the sulfur recovery complex of SATORP’s refinery in Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. New Sherwin-Williams Advanced Energy Barrier eliminates threat of corrosion under insulation http://admin.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/news/2025/03/new-sherwin-williams-advanced-energy-barrier-eliminates-threat-of-corrosion-under-insulation/ Sherwin-Williams’ Heat-Flex® Advanced Energy Barrier (AEB) tackles corrosion under insulation (CUI), effectively eliminating the costly and dangerous phenomenon of steel assets corroding underneath insulation systems. The coating replaces the bulky mineral-based insulation that is traditionally used on storage tanks, process vessels and piping to retain process heat. Hybrid model using first principles and AI/ML for analyzer-less fuel blending http://admin.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/magazine/2025/february-2025/special-focus-digital-technologies/hybrid-model-using-first-principles-and-aiml-for-analyzer-less-fuel-blending/ This article discusses first-principle blend model architecture used traditionally by refineries, including its pros and cons. This text also explores the concept and trend of using artificial intelligence and machine-learning hybrid models for blending for cases where online analyzers may not be installed or may be nonfunctional, sometimes causing quality giveaways and violations.